Saturday 7 February 2009

Painting in the village

This turned out to be a three-day work, with more reflective and 'tweaking' time, checking tonal values and touching up details. It is 22"x17.5" on Fabriano Artistico hot press (heavy, I think 480gms) unstretched paper.



It came together much faster than I expected, but I didn't let myself get tied up in the details on the buildings. As it is I think it has a slight fairy-tale quality to it.

Wednesday 21 January 2009

Dates and bookings 2012

All dates within the given weeks are negotiable. Prices are for 2, 4 and 6 night stays, plus tuition, within any given week. Please email me on paintinitaly@gmail.com for bookings or to check availability if you need more flexible dates crossing over these weekly divisions.


Mid-November – March 2013 by arrangement only.

Prices 2012
Two nights, one day intensive tuition 170 euros per person.

Four nights, combined tuition and exploring the local area, minimum of 12 hours tuition in studio, tutor available to be with you as you explore or paint the rest of the time. 400 euros per person.

Six nights may include day excursions to Rome, Pompeii, Abbeys or Cassino Battlefield tours. Plan your own programme in consultation with the artist. Price of 6 nights is from 240 euros per person, with tuition and “time out” times as negotiated prior to the first day of the visit. For six nights accommodation and five days of ongoing tuition - both in and out of the studio - prices begin at 450 euros per painter.

Bed, breakfast and lunch are included in the price, evening meal extra. A range of options for evening meals is available. Varied and tasty vegetarian options available; catering for some allergies may include a surcharge.

Some painters will be accommodated in this tiny village but this is where most class participants will stay, at the beautiful Felicetta, although there are other options available in all price ranges. Transport is not needed, we can run a shuttle service to get you from the train and to the class. Felicetta has the advantage of a beautiful swimming pool and outdoor eating area.

Getting started

Watercolour (and other) painting in Italy. More than a dream!

This blog is my temporary web page - it could be a while before the full website is up...painting and house reconstruction are taking priority for now.

Why? Because I am about to begin teaching my watercolour art classes, and can't wait to share my ideas. For now though, I must spend more time getting rooms ready, purchasing supplies, and less time at the computer.

Here is my concept:

I offer friendly small art classes in a wonderful environment. This is "real Italy", away from the tourists of Tuscany. Classes will always stay small, because I don't want to be responsible for flooding the town with tourists.... I do enough of that already as friends and family fall in love with my adopted home!

I live in a tiny historic village, overlooking the wonderful Liri valley, halfway between Rome and Naples. I have always enjoyed sharing the things I love with others, and to do this in another country I am taking the leap and "going it alone".

Over the next few days I will add more details, refining this a little. But bookings have started coming in already, so there are some things you need to know if you are booking air tickets. Economy flights fly in to both Ciampino Airport (just south of Rome) and Naples. Check them both before you book.

My aim is to provide flexible options to see that each visitor gets the painting holiday they desire. All classes will be designed around individual needs and preferences.

Why am I so flexible?
When I was a young mother living and painting in New Zealand I dreamed of taking an art holiday.
I drooled longingly over the offers, but they were always packaged just out of my reach. The time was too long to be away from children, the price too high, the accommodation too luxurious for someone on a budget. Now that I live and paint in Italy I have the chance to offer what I could never find for myself. You could call it making my dreams come true “in reverse" ! PS: I also provide a Battlefield Tour service for English speaking travellers wanting to visit the sites of the four Battles of Cassino, WWII.

Recent watercolours: